Thread: Aruba .... Which things have you done there?

Which of these have you done in Aruba?

Saying the ones you liked MOST/LEAST could be very helpful to others.

Note: It's a Multi-Poll so please participate.

We have done the tour of the island and the Atlantis submarine. We enjoyed them both and would recommend them to anyone visiting Aruba. We also gambled in the casino...no, we didn't win!!

Char, sorry you didn't win ... but glad you had FUN in the casino!

Helpful to know the Atlantis Sub in a Aruba is a good one! My aunt and uncle loved taking the Atlantis submarines in various ports where they were offered ... said that some were better than others ....

We always enjoy going to Aruba!

Palm Beach is normally nice ... but MooMba on Palm Beach is not! We would not pick that as a place to go at Palm Beach again.

At this point our favorite is De Palm Island! Lots of shade and I love those Blue Parrot Fish!

We've been to Aruba twice and both times Toured the Island. The first time we toured by taxi and got a great driver that told us a lot about the island. The second time we toured by motorcycle and we enjoyed that more. I'd recommend the motorcycle over the taxi, if you or the person you're riding with knows how to drive one.

Good suggestion, Judy!

Guess folks who didn't wish to ride a motorcycle could do sort of the same by renting a jeep ....

We also toured by motorcycle.

I did what I suggest everyone do; look at the cruise line's website and check out their excursions. Then go to independent sites and see what they have to offer. And then talk to your agent, if they've been there, and they can probably offer other ideas.

So, I went to the Princess website (we last went there on the Crown Princess) and they had a 4-1/2 hour motorcycle tour around the island for $355. I thought this was rather expensive, so I contacted the local Harley dealer down there and they offered the exact same tour for $155! Needless to say, I booked it through them.

We got off the ship, walked over to the dealer (about 1/2 mile from the pier) and there were 6 couples on the tour along with a guide. 3 couples were staying on the island and booked through the dealer, so they and us all paid $155. The other two couples booked it through Princess and they paid $355. We were all on the same tour together. Needless to say, those two couples were not very happy.

So lessons learned for others to consider; booking excursions through the cruise line is usually not the best thing to do. Second, do you homework and research other options. And lastly, the motorcycle tour in Aruba was wonderful and we thoroughly loved it!

Aruba is a beautiful and diverse island - one you definitely need to see.

Pete

Having been to Aruba three times, with two more times already booked, I must admit to having pretty well run out of options. I don't do watersports. I don't do beaches. Those activities are no longer my style, and, for the most part, are beyond my capabilities.

Since this scenario repeats itself on almost any island in the Caribbean now, for me, I am adjusting to just enjoying the ship!

But, here is a special thing to do, if your ship's itinerary permits!

A couple of Thanksgivings ago, we arrived at Aruba about noon, and didn't sail until almost midnight! My nephew and his family were staying for the week in their time-share condo. My companion and I hooked up with them and enjoyed a personalized tour of the island, followed by dinner at Amazonia, an Argentinian/Brazilian-style steak house. It was a very unique way to spend Thanksgiving, and my great-nieces were amazed that their old-fogie relatives would ask them along!

Decidedly expensive, but worth every penny, by me!

SWR

Originally Posted by swrinfla

But, here is a special thing to do, if your ship's itinerary permits!

A couple of Thanksgivings ago, we arrived at Aruba about noon, and didn't sail until almost midnight! My nephew and his family were staying for the week in their time-share condo. My companion and I hooked up with them and enjoyed a personalized tour of the island, followed by dinner at Amazonia, an Argentinian/Brazilian-style steak house. It was a very unique way to spend Thanksgiving, and my great-nieces were amazed that their old-fogie relatives would ask them along!

Decidedly expensive, but worth every penny, by me!

SWR

That sounds great for folks with evening ports stops!

Wonder how hard it would be for cruisers without the time-share connection to do this?

LuLu:

The private, personalized tour of the island would be a little difficult to arrange, but adventurous cruisers with some internet skills could find a way!

I'm sure that Amazonia, the restaurant, is still there. Even the taxi drivers would know!

Just be sure to get back to the ship before they pull up the gangway on you!

My friend and I will be on Aruba on 11/22. But, this time from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm - so inappropriate for a huge dinner at Amazonia!

SWR